Home Sweet Home

As much as I miss being on vacation, it’s sure great to finally be home.

Of course, our favorite place was Disneyland. It’s amazing to see so many people from all over the world and all walks of life come together to enjoy the Magic Kingdom. Not only is it a playground for children, but it also brings out the kid in all of us. Where else would you see grown adults walking around with Mickey hats and riding on a carousel. For some reason, you’re able to let go of all your inhibitions, act like a kid, and not care who’s watching.

Girlie Girl’s favorite thing was getting autographs from all the Disney Princesses and characters. Apparently, the princesses don’t walk around the park like the used to. Now you have to visit them at the Princess Fantasy Faire where you can meet them 3 at a time – you just don’t know which 3 will be there. So of course, we had to stand in line on three different occasions in hopes that there would be someone new.

The most memorable one would have to be Aurora since for some reason, Baby Bug was just drawn to her. Once she saw the princess, she made a mad dash to her and gave her a big hug. Aurora was so tickled by it that she actually let Baby Bug sit in her lap. I was a little surprised since the other princesses tended to be a little more proper and not too keen on the kids getting too close. I guess I don’t blame them – those costumes must cost a fortune. Even when Girlie Girl had moved on to the next princess, Aurora kept carrying and talking to Baby Bug. She just didn’t want to let her go! We saw her again in passing about 5 hours later and she actually asked where Baby Bug was!

Baby Bug’s favorite thing was the Parade of Dreams. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her stand so still for so long. The music and dancing were so awesome that we watched the parade 3 times! I just wish they had a CD available for purchase. I would love to be able to hear the songs again.

The High School Musical Pep Rally at California Adventure Park was really cool! It’s a very upbeat and entertaining performance but you definitely need to know the songs ahead of time to really be able to get into it.

On the last night of the trip, DH took Baby Bug back to the hotel after dinner and Girlie Girl and I had an evening all to ourselves. She got to ride whatever she wanted and we were able to spend some real quality time together . . . just the two of us. As we were leaving the park, I mentioned to Girlie Girl that I felt a little sad knowing that we were going home in the morning. Do you know what she said? “It’s okay Mommy, we have our memories and pictures.” She’s becoming so grown-up. I think that makes me even more sad!

The flight from Seattle to Honolulu went remarkably well. Girlie Girl is at the age where she can pretty much entertain herself. She spent the time coloring and watching the in-flight movie, Charlotte’s Web. Baby Bug either slept or watched High School Musical on the DVD player. I was so proud of their behavior. Even the passengers around us commented on how well behaved they were. It’s always nice to hear good things about your kids.

Of course, not everything went as planned and I even had to write a complaint to the General Managers of both hotels that we stayed at. However, I’d rather just concentrate on the wonderful memories we made. And even though Baby Bug will probably not remember this trip when she’s older, the excitement on her face will be forever in my mind.

What a wonderful way to start the summer!

If you’ve been there before, what’s your favorite attraction at Disneyland?

About the Author: Kailani:Owner of An Island Life. A flight attendant and mother to 3 beautiful girls. . . living a blessed life in Hawaii.

Your Girlie Girl did the same thing my KT did once.
We were leaving the Magic Kingdom (at Walt Disney World). We still had a couple days of the trip, but it was the last day at MK. I was walking down Main Street and saying (outloud) to myself “don’t look back, don’t look at the castle, don’t do it, don’t look back.” But I never listen to myself and I looked back.

I started bawling like a baby. My KT (about 10 at the time) came over to me, patted my back and said “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll come back.” Awwwww.

I am glad you had a good time! I prefer how it was before, when the characters would walk around. I guess they have to do it differently now because of rude people pushing & shoving & stuff. I’m sure the girls had a blast!

I’m sure that they’ll come out with a soundtrack of the parade eventually. In the meantime, enjoy this:

I’m glad you had a wonderful time! I grew up in Southern California and went to Disneyland almost every year. I love it ALL! Pirates and Haunted Mansion are my favorites, but my dc won’t go on HM with me. Jungle Cruise, the Tiki Room, Big Thunder Mountain…it’s all good! My ds’ favorites are Splash Mountain and the Buzz Lightyear Ride. My dd’s is probably Winnie the Pooh. Oh wait, I’m forgetting Peter Pan and, and, oh, we just love it. We’re already planning our next trip. My dh splurged and bought us the Thomas Kincade painting of Disneyland so we can see it every day.

I grew up going to Disney World in FL, and have been to Disney in CA a couple of times. My favorite ride has always been Space Mountain, but I really like Star Tours as well. I’m not able to ride rollercoasters anymore, sadly; I have to live vicariously through you!

It’s wonderful when others notice how well behaved our kids are. Makes us proud as moms, don’t you think? We need reassurance that we’re doing a good job.

Sounds like a great trip – that’s too bad about the hotels though. We are hoping to go someday, but I’m not sure when. Are there enough things to do for the little kids? I have a 3 year old and I worry there aren’t enough rides that she and my 8 year old will be able to ride… just wondering

It has been so long since I was there I don’t remember anything about it. I was just a kid. We are going to try to take Jayke to Disney World this winter. Florida is much closer for us. I think he will be at a really good age, almost 4. I can’t wait! I’m probably more excited than he will be. Your girls look adorable. I’m glad you had a good time.

Sounds like you made some very special memories. How excited Baby Bug looks to see Sleeping Beauty. The five years I worked at the Disneyland Hotel, were the most memorable working years of my life. It is truly a magical place. That is something to be very proud of, knowing that Girlie Girl is growing up, and that they behaved so well on that very long flight home.
When Fantasmic first came out a bunch of us when we got off work, would go over to Disney ride the Pirates and then watch the show. My favorite ride would have to be It’s a Small World!

Wow! It’s hard to pin down which part was my favorite. DD loved the race track…we let her drive the cars herself and she had fun being as crazy as she wanted with it. LOL…look out world when she gets a driver’s license.

I think I mostly enjoyed the Bug’s life 3-D show in CA Disney. It was very cool how the seats were rigged to make you think there were bugs leaving under you.

I’m going to try to swing a Disney World trip this fall…’cuz my Mom is laying on the guilt trip for us to come see her before she dies. :p

I really love Disneyland. I don’t think I will ever tire of it. I would have to say one of my favorite ride is and will always be Pirates of the Carribean. There is just something so mystical about it. I love it!

We took my son to Disneyworld FL when he was 4, almost 5 – I was also 6 weeks pregnant so I couldn’t go on many rides at all. He absolutely loved it! And he’s been bugging us to go back a lot these days (he just turned 7). I think my favorite attractions were the 3D muppet movie, and the little Mermaid show. I’d love to do Space Mountain though – I’m roller coaster freak. We’ve promised the kids a trip in a couple years, so that my daughter will at least remember something – by that time she’ll be 4.
Looks like it was a wonderful vacation, and I’m glad that you got home safe and sound!

Welcome home! Sounds like a great trip. I agree there is just nothing that compares to the look on a child’s face when they first see Disneyland. We took Luna last year and of course she’s begging to go again, but that look on her face I will never forget!

It sounds like you totally had a great time. GG is getting so responsible and mature, isn’t she? We flew, this long weekend, with Hunter and he wasn’t as well behaved as I would have liked. He did really well for his first time flying, I thought. We had to hold him close for take-off and all seat-belt times (I’m sure you already know that, duh) and that was NO fun because what almost-two-year-old wants to do that when there’s so much cool stuff to do? Anyhow, good memories were made for us, as well.

I’ve never been to either Disney location, but it sure looks like you had a great time. Sorry you had a disappointment in the hotel department, but hopefully the joy from the kids really erases your memories of that. I am looking forward to having a girl so we can do a few princessy things.

Sounds like an awesome trip! It’s so nice that people said nice things about your kids on the plane. It seems like people never say anything or notice when kids are well-behaved, but when they’re bad, they always have something to say. You’re lucky to get the nice comments!

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A Hawaii Mommy Blogger since 2006 sharing product reviews, giveaways, local family friendly events, parenting resources, and her daily life as she raises 3 young girls in paradise.

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